Steam propulsion apparatus.



J. F. METTEN. STEAM PROPULSION APPARATU 1 APPLICATION HLED1UNE|8|19|2- 1,214,207. Patented Jan. 30, 1917.

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J. F. METTEN.

STEAM PROPULSION APPARATUS.

Patented Jan. 30, 1917 APPLICATION FILED IUNE 18' I9l2.

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Attest:

J. F. METTEN. STEAM PROPULSION APPARATUS. nrucmou HL'ED was I8, 1912.

1,214,207. 7 Patented A Jan. 30, 1917.

8 SHEETSSHEET 3 NVENTOyE In r ATTORNEYS 1. F. METTEN. STEAM PROPULSION APPARATUS. 3

' APPLICATION FILED JUNE I8. [912. 1,214,207. Patented Jan. 30,1917.

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, vglmlas'sss ENTOR ATTORNEYS J. F. METTEN. STEAM PROPULSION APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 18. I912.

Patented Jan. '30, 1917.

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WITNESSES Patented Jan. 30,1917.

' I SHEETS-SHEET 5- .1. FQMETTEN. STEAM PROPULSION APPARATUS. APPLICQTION FILED JUNE 18 1912.

WITNESSES J. F. METTEN. STEAM PROPULSION APPARATUS. m-rucmon Hummus I8. m2.-

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" ya wm J. F. METTEN. STEAM PROPULSION APPARATUS. nrrucmon FILED JUNE 1a. 1912.

Patented Jan 30, 1917. 9 8 SHEETS-SHEET 8 /d4 film/Liar.-

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' UNITED STAEliliilENT o Fro 4 JOHN F. unm'mngor rmLAnELrmi,P NNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR To run WILLIAM cam? & sons SHIP & ENGINE surname COMPANY, 5 conronmrron or PENN- sn-vmu; ,g

phia an State of Pennsylvania, have in-' vented certain new and useful. Improvements in Steam Propulsion Apparatus, of which the followingisa fulh cle ar, and exact specification, p h

This invention relates to prime movers for marine propulsion and its object is to providea' combination steam. engine and turbine propelled vessel...which shall. operate at high efliciency at different rates of speed. I Ithas beenheretoforeproposed to utilize mnnbinations of re ciprgxpatin'g engines and 1 use, but there, have been certain, difiiculties in the wa of attaining high efliciency undeigthe conditions oi -marine practice. -If for low speeds the engine utilizes part of .the expansion, and the turbine utilizes the "remainder of the expansion, then the last stages of theturbine rotate practically idly and cause friction and loss. It the turbine be provided with additional stages and the entireex' pansioa utilized in the turbine at low speeds, the additional stages rotate idly at jhighspees and the last stages are practically ir. eat low speeds. l l

In carrying out my invention, Izpro'pose to provide a small cruising-engine arranged to utilize the upper ranges of the expansion and to exhaust into the first stage. Oftllfi turbine, the expansion of the steam being rarried out tl'irouglrthestages of the turbine to the final exhaust pressure. I .fur-

ther provide a, system wherein the efiiciency of the turbine is increased by insuring that the same shall at all times be operated .by steam in the proper condition of dryness. For higher speeds one or more of theupper stagesof the turbine may be shunted "and finally the steam may be led directlyfrom .the boiler to the turbine and expanded through some or all. of the 'stagesthereof. In my arrangement, the number a of idle stages at any time is reduced and'moreover the: few idle stages \\'ill=only beidle during a. time at which theloss occasioned thereby will be insignificant. c m:

x -The invention will-be desoribedflmoremin detail with reference a to the l accompanying drawings,bin -whioh a w Figure '1 "is an elevatirm, showing its ar- 's'rnm rnorULsIoN ArPAiiA'rUs.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Jan. 30, 1917. Applieetion fl ledi lnhe 11;;1912. Serial No. $04,376.

. rangen ient in the hull of a vessel, of a driving unit for one propeller shaft A general sectional view. of'the ahead turbine is shown more I in this figure, the turbine details bein particularly shownin other figures ereinafter referred to; Fig. 2 is a plan view of the arrangement of apparatus in the hull of a vessel for driving twinpropell'ersr Fig. is a vertical section through the hullof a-vessel showingthe arrangement therein of theunits for drivingthe twin' screw, the section through the-hull being taken justforward of the turbines and .looki'n aft; Figs. and 5 placed, end to end with Fig. 5 at the right ofFig. deonstitutle a vertical,

central section atonemen turbine, the upper half being partially broken away Fig.

- (i is-an exterior endl clevation or the turbine looking in the direbtion indicated by the arrowin Fi 5, the scale this drawing being reduced from thatof Figs. t and 5;

Fig. 7 is a vertical transverse section, on the same scale as Fig. 6, of thetui'bine easing ,upon the line 7-4 of Fig. 5 looking in the direction of the adjacent arrows; Fig. 8, is a vertical transverse section, ,theturbine wheels being omitted on the line 8 -8 of Figs. .1. and 5, ltfliklllf]; in thedrrection of the adjacent arrows, this figure b lng drawn to a different scale from either 1 1g. 1 or 5 and has thecasing partly broken away to show ,the ports in the casing for the full power steam admission and also thezinitial full power nozzles; Fig. 9 is a transvemze section, the lfilade-wl ieels being mnitted, upon the lines -9 of 1 and 5 looking ,figure is ,drawn-forthe sainescale as Fig. 8; 11g.10 1s. anenlarged part1 section on the line 10- -1,0v of Figs. 6. andhi looking in the direction of tl' eadjacent arrows and shows the manner of ,a'idmittin gsteam to the auxillary and full ower mt a stag of" he turbine; Fig lL anaelevation of valve v.striu-tlu-esf '1 th an 1 interlocking. device app in. the direction of the. adjacent arrows, This ralvc. operative andwthe otheretwo locked;

Fig. 13 is-a similar view, butmhows the lockwing bar. slid to the-left soa-thatuthe right- .hand valve,;isoperative and the othertivo lock Figr 14 :is: a similar. viei'vrrl'mt with the -.locking-bai slid .to the right so that the left whand valve is operativeandwthe "otl'ier two :1 15 iswa' sectionithrough thewlocksuitable type preferably adapte to; utilize;v

. high pressures of steam andeXpan dTlie ressure to a determined his engine is supplied same from boiler lower pressure;

v with steam by means of the pipe B which comes from the boilers and the pipe C which is controlled by a valve D. From the exhaust of the engine A a pipe E leads the exhaust steam whicli', particularly at low powers, contains considerable moisture to a rehea'ter -1 wheat the steam is brought'to a suitable degree of "dryness or is slightly slvlperhcated and is then transmitted-through a pipe (1 to the turbineI-I, which it traverses to the turbine exhaust.- From the turbine ll extends the propeller shaft 1.

means of a pipe N controlled by a valve 0.

And live steam from the boilers can be supplied to the astern end of the turbine by meansof a pipe Q controlled by a valve R.

The re -heater comprises a casing 1 to which the exhaust steam is fed and within which is located a coil of pipe 2 which may be fed with live steam through a pipe 3 controlled by a valve 4. The other end of the pipe coil is :connected with a drain through a tra Located in the pipe G between the tu 'ne and the re-heater is a check valve 5 of suitable construction to permit the steam to pass from the re-heater to the turbine but not in the opposite direction.

The turbine H may be of any suitable type, either all reaction or all impulse stages, or some of the stages may be impulse and. some reaction. In the particular form shown in the drawing, the higher stages are wheel stages of the impulse type,,

which may be either single or velocity compounded, and the lower stages are impulse drum stages. The ahead end of the turbine comprises a cylindrical casing 6 within which'the wheels 7 and diaphragms 8 of the wheel stages and also the drum 9 with its moving vanes 10 and intermediate blading resents 11 are mounted. Similarly, the astern turbine has an external cylindrical casin 7' and both casings open into the exhaust t 8'. The turbine casin zontal longitudinal p ane, the upper and lower halves being secured together by bolts 12.

Eachof the wheels 7 is built up of a hub 13, an intermediate plate 14 and-a blade ring lfi having two rows of blades 16 secured to its eriphery -and in between these rows-'ofblii es project the stationary guide blades 17 secured to the'casin'g. As shown,

the intermediate plate 14 has one of its faces in a plane radial to the axis of the shaft of the turbine, while the other face is at, an angle thereto, so that the plate tapers in thickness from the inside to the outside. Also this intermediate plate is provided with a groove at its inner edge which receives a shoulder on the hub and when the inner edge of the plate is riveted to thehub, H Shown, a secure joint is formed. Ati'ts outer edge the plate is riveted to a flange upon the blade ring.

Each of the diaphragms 8 comprises a preferably dished or concave steel plate 18, at the outer edge of which is secured' a grooved steel ring 19, while at the opposite side on the, inner edge of the plate 18 a steel gland ring 19' is secured thereto and carries packing 20 just clearing the hubs of the wheels. As shown, the plate is secured to the gland'ring and the steel rin 19 b rivetingr The rin s 19 and 19 sh en t e disk or plate 18,- w ereby it may be made considera ly lighter wit out rendering it liable to distortion when subjected to pressure and also by dishing the late and fastening the, rings on opposite si es they overlie one another and save space. The diaphra or the rin 19 secured thereto is provide with a perip eral groove '20 and also the casing has a groove 21. Mounted to slid'ebetween these grooves, and at the same time lock the diaphragm against longililldinal movement, .is a nozzle ring 22 preferably of cast iron is divided in a hori and containing nozzles 23, of suitable design.

The nozzle ring sections H 83 be secured to the casing by bolts or screws 24', in order to resist the reaction of the flow through the nozzles. These bolts are exposed when the cas- 7 ing is lifted, the upper nozzle section commg off with the casin and the lower one being removable by s iding in the groove when the bolts are removed. The nozzle ring 22 is divided into halves which, when one-half of the casing iscemoved, can be separated from between the casingl and the diaphragmindependently of the w eel, onehalf by simply being lifted and the other half by being, slid around the groove until it can be likewise lifted. The removing of the top section of the casing releases or unlocks one section of the nozzle permitting its removal and the other section can then be removed by pushing it circumferentially. It will be understood thatthe nozzle ring might be divided into any number of segments'desired larger than two.

Referringto the ahead end of the turbine,

, steam is admitted to the first stage 24 for full power bymeans of the nozzle 25. This "initial nozzle',provides for partial admission,

.. thepassage from the inlet belt 26 to the nozzles bei providedby ports 27 cutjn the i 1 he.-later stages preferably have steam chamber 32 is controlled by means of a valve33'. Wh en the valve is positionedto shut .o'fl' steam from the steam chan bcr vil1 be cut off from the auxiliary reduced 'power stages. When the valve is moved to H ;:32,'steam.will be admitted through the nlet belt and the 'full .power turbine while it lose "the passage to the inlet belt 26 steam ill becut ofi'from the full power inlet of l the turbine, but will be admitted to the steam chamber 32 and the auxiliary stages.

' belt 26 and the steam chamber 32.

With anintermediate position of the valve, steam Wlll be admitted to both the inlet It will be tobserved that inthe diaphragm preceding the first full speed stage there is not only .provided the full power initial nozzles but on the opposite side of this diaphragm from the nozzles just referred to i there is provided a separate nozzle 3e leading from the last auxiliary stage 29 into the first full speedstageand proportioned to carry the volume which passes from the last auxiliary stage to the-first full speed stage at low powers. This low power nozzle 34,

' 'it will be ObSGlVd, although it is separate fro andopposite to the initial fu1l power noza e 25;, operates upon the same wheel. This arrangement allows in a given. total number of stages one more stage being pro-' 'portio ned. for the reduced speed condition than would be possible in the ordinary arrangement of continuous nozzles and results in increased efliciency 'of the turbine.

Preferably, the nozzles and blades of the turbine from the full power inlet to the exhaustp are, calculated for maximum etliciency with "an expansion from the pressure of I steam direct from the boiler to the pressure of exhaust, while the nozzles and blades of the auxiliary low speed stages and the nozzles 34 are calculated to most econom cally utilize the pressure drop, which will occur therein when steam is supplied directly from the boiler to the steam chamber 32, and ex-. panded thence through the auxiliary and full power stages of the turbine down to the exhaust pressure. It will now be understood that steam admitted to the steam chamber 32 will pass through the auxiliary nozzles 30 and 31 and thencrossing over in the stage 29 passes through the nozzle 34 into the first full speed stage whence the full power stages are traversed to the exhaust.

For full speed, steam is admitted directly from the boiler to the full power initial nozzles 25, the. valve 33 being positioned to close the admission to the chamber 32 and opening admission to the ports27. Also the valves D and R areclosed, the 'valve being open. The steam direct from the boiler then passes from the inlet ports 27 through. all of the full power'stages'of the'turbine the exhaust. At this time the wheels in the auxiliary stages of the turbinc'are idle, but this occurs at a time when the loss from the idle stages will be unimportant. For lower power conditions the change valve 33 is positioned to shut off the steam from the inlet ports 27 and open communication for the steam from the boiler -to the steam chamber 32, the valves R and D being closed. The expansion of the steam direct from the boiler then takes place through the auxiliary stages and full .power'stages down to. the exhaust. pressure. With the valve 33 in an intermediate position' so that steam is admitted to both the full powcrinlet and the steam chamber. 32, a condition exists which provides for the carrying ofoverloads above that capable of being driven by steam flowing through the full power inlet alone.

At the maximum power under which the reciprocating engine will be available, the valves '0 and R are closed and the valve D is open; Also the valve 33' is in an inter mediate position. Live steam from {the boiler isthus shut ofi from the turbine while such steam is supplied to the reciprocating engine from which the steamgexpands to a determined lower pressure, the exhaust passing into the reheater F where the exhaust steam is re-he'ated to therequired degree of dryness or superheat and'from thence'the steam passes into the full power initial inlet and also into the auxiliary inlet whence it expands through the. turbine stages down to the turbine exhaust pressure. @At further reduced speeds, thevalve 33 is set to close the admission to the auxiliary inlet and open the admission to the full power inlet 5 of the turbine the valves D, O and It Ienaining as before. The steam'direct from the boiler is then passed. through the reciprocating engine where it="'-"is .bxpanded through the higher ranges to a determined lower pressure at which it exhausts into the re-heater whence the steam, after being dried or superheated, passes into the full power inlet through the ports 27 and full power stages of the turbine to the exhaust. At still further reduced speeds, the'valves, except valve 33, may remain as before and valve 33 may be set to close the admission to ,easy clearance.

the full power inlet and open admission to the steam chamber 32 feeding the auxiliary stages. The steam. then coming from the re-heater will traverse the auxiliary and full power stages of the turbine to the exhaust. To drive the ship astern, the valves D and are closed and the valve R opened, when steam will be admitted direct from the boiler and expanded through the sta es of the astern turbine to the pressure of t e exhaust. In driving astern the reciprocating engine will be cut out by releasing the clutch 'M.

It will be observed that but one of the valves D, f) and R, controlling the admission to the reciprocating engine, admission of steam direct from the boiler to the ahead turbine ,and admission of steam to the astern turbine, respectively, should be opened at a time, and to insure properoperation of these valves, interlocking means should be providbd. This interlocking means may be of the form as shown more particularly in Figs. 11 to 16. Referring to Figs. 11 to 16 the valve stems 35, 36 and 37, are provided with collars or shoulders 38, 39 and 40. Embracingthe valve stems above the collars is a bar 41 which may be slid endwise beneath bars 42 supported and secured to the valve bodies by rods 43 and nuts 44. At the points, 45, 46 and 47, where the bar 41 embraces the valve stems, it is thickened as shown and also formed with slots 48, 49 and 50 of'sufiicient size to receive the valve stems but not the collars 38, 39 or 40. At the left-hand endof the slot 48, the middle of theslot 49 'and the right-hand end of the slot 50, is formedian enlarged circular part into which the respective collars 38, 39 and 40 may move withlf-the bar 41 is moved'tosuch a position that the collar on 'one of the valve stems is directly beneath an enlarged portion of a slot, that valve stem may. be turned and when the same rises in the opening of the valve its collar will enter within .)the enlarged portion of the 'slot above it and the'valve will open. None of the other valves can be opened, however, .for the reason that none of the other collars are in alinement with the enlarged slot portions and they cannot pass through the narrow closed,

pushed to the right until the enlarged portion of slot 18 was in alinement with the collar 38, when the left-hand valve could be openedand the other two would be locked.

closed. Similarly, when all the valves'are' closed, the locking bar might he slid to the left and the enlargement of the slot 50, brought into alinement with the collar on the stem 37, when the right-hand valve could be opened, the other two being locked Furthermore, it will be observed that when any valve has been opened and its collar has entered within the correspond ing slot enlargement, it will. be impossible to slide the bar so as to permit any other of the valves to be opened.

It will be observed that all of the steam pipes supplying steam to the turbine are connected to the lower l1alf. This is of advantage because the upper half ofthe turpassing from the engine to the turbine is downward (and never upward) so that any water in the connections drains into the turbine whence the moisture will pass 03.

The variable power propulsion system herein described has especial advantages for binemay be lifted off and the Wheels and torpedo boat destroyers, or similar types of vessels, which ordinarily operate at less than. their maximum speed, but must be able to develop much higher speed when required.

Also, these vessels must have a large steam' ing radius at lower speed. In order to satisfy, these and other requirements, guarantees. are exacted as to maximum weights of propelling machinery, as well as of both fuel and waterconsumption at least two speeds for a specified hours run. The pres ent invention is of much value in enabling the guaranteesto be fulfilled, andalso in-' 1 25 that space economized, and such fuel and water economy obtained as to very materially increase the steaming radius. It is to be remembered that such vessels are rarely run for verylong at full speed, but mustat rounded head 80 project pins 81 which take bearings are avoid 1 all times economize water and fuel, and for most of the time run at cruising or intermediate speed. Consequently, economy at these speeds is of greater relativeimportance than economy at maximum" or emergency speed. By the provision of 'the reheating means between the .reciprocatin engine and thetuirbiiie on the same 'sha t, :the wellknown advantagesof the former are retained, while" enabling reheated steam to be admitted tothe turbine'at the roper stages to secure thebest economy, mm the remaining ex ension of the steam. In effect therefore, t is nvention involves a coordination between the steam engine, the reheater, and'the turbine, such that the energy (water) output of the engine can be fully utilized in the turbine, with a a minimum of idle stages at" various speeds, and without either" requiring the en me to drive the turbine, or vice versa. The reheater, combined as specified herein, enables this result, tofbe accomplished, and vastly improves the propulsion system for the specia purposes and conditions to be met.

, In the drawings the deck oflthe ship is indicated by, the sides of the hull by 77' and 78, and 76 represents a support built be= tween thesides of the'hull.

The'iiniversal and expansion coupling L which connects the shaftsection K with the turbine shaft comprises a socket 79 within which fits a rounded head 80. From the into the slots 82 in the sides of the socket.- This permits the connected shafts .to set themselves \i'at angles with each other and also any difl'erence in longitudinal relation ofthe connected shafts caused by expansion by heat or otherwise the pins 81 moving longitudinally in the slots of the socket. By the provision of such a universal and expansion joint, ex-

pansion of the shafts is permitted and also bad effects from inaccuracy in alinement of' the shafts caused by errors or wear of the passingsteam from. the exhaust of said englue to the turbine and admitting it to either the full power or auxiliary stages.

2. The combination with a reciprocating en 'ne, of a turbine, said turbine and engine being connected in driving relation to the same shaft, said turbine having full power.

will be permitted by rig steam to said engine, and means, comfor passing steam irom prising a reheater,

the exhaustof said. engine to the turbine and, admitting it to either the full power or auxiliary stages.

v 3. The combination with areciprocating engine, of a turbine, said engine and turbine being connected in driving relation to the i same shaft, said turbine having full power stages and auxiliary stages, means for supplyingsteam to said engine, and means for passing steam fromthe exhaust of said engine to the turbine and admitting it simultaneouslyto both the full power and auxiliary.

stages.

4. The combination with a reciprocating stages and auxiliary stages, means for supengine, of a turbine, said turbine and engine being connected in driving relation tohthe same shaft, said turbinehaving full power stages and auxiliary stages, means for sup plying steam to saidengineyand means, comprising a reheater, 'for assing steam from the exhaust of said engine to the turbine and admitting it simultaneously to both;

the full power and auxiliary stages.

5. The combination" with. a reciprocating engine, of a turbine, said: engine and turbine being connected driving relation to the same shaft, sald turbine having 11111 power stages and auxiliary stages, means for sup- 3 plylng steam to said engine, and means ion passing steam from the exhaust of said en-' gine to the turbine and admittin it to either or simultaneously to both the ful power and auxiliary stages, w

6. The combination with a reciprocating i engine, of a turbine, said engine and turbine being connected in driving relation to'the same shaft, said turbine having full power stagesv and auxiliary stages, means forsupplying steam to said engine, and means;

comprising a. reheater, for passing steam fromthe exhaust of said engine to the turbine and admitting it to either or simultane ously to both the full power and auxiliary stages. a

. 7 The combination with a reciprocating engine, of a turbine, said turbine and engine being connected in driving relation to the same shaft, said turbine having full power stages and auxiliary stages, means for supplying steamto said engine, means for passing steam vfrom the exhaust of the engine to the turbine, means for supplying steam to the turbine direct from. the boiler, and

means for admitting the steam supplied to the turbine from either source to either the full ower or auxiliary stages.

8. he combination with a reciprocating engine, of a turbine, said turbine and engine being connected in driving relation to the same shaft, said turbine having full power stages and auxiliar stages, means for supplying steam to sai engine, means, comprising a reheater, for passing steam from the exhaust of the engine to the turbine, means for supplying steam direct from the boiler to the turbine and means for admitting the steam supplied from either source to the turbine to either the full power or auxiliary stages.-

9. The combination with a reciprocating engine, of a turbine, said turbine and engine being connected in driving relation to the same shaft, said turbine having full power stages and auxiliary stages, means for supplying steam to said engine, means, com-' prising a reheater, for passing steam from the exhaust'of the engine to the turbine, means for supplying steam direct from the V boiler to the turbine and means for admitting the steam supplied from either source to the turbine to either or both the full power and auxiliary stages.

- 10. The combination with a reciprocating i engine, of a turbine, said turbine and engine being adapted to be connected in driving relation to the same shaft, a universal and expansion coupling for connecting said engine with said shaft, and means for passing steam from the exhaust of said engine to the initial full power stage of the turbine.

11. The combination with a reciprocating engine, of a turbine, said turbine and engine being adapted to be connected in driving relation to the same shaft, a universal and expansion coupling for connecting said engine to said shaft, and means for passing steam successively through said engine "and v min'ed efliciency at "anous turbine, said-meanscomprising a reheater between said engine and said turbine.

12. Amarine propulsion system comprising in combinetion'with a propeller shaft, a reciprocating engine and a multi-stage turbine independently connected thereto,'a reheater connected to the exhaust of the engine, and a steam connection between said reheater and the inlets to a plurality of stages of said turbine, said inlets being positioned to permit the'steam from said reheater to drive the movable turbine element during further drop -from the engine exhaust pressure, andnieans for controlling said inlets according to the speed to maintain a predetermined eiiiciency through the remaining stages. V

13. A marine propulsion system comprising in combination with a ropeller shaft, a reciprocating engine, and a multi-stage turbine independently said turbine having in addition to a full power inlet an auxiliary power inlet and auxiliary stages, a reheater connected to the connected thereto,

exhaust of the engine, and connections from said reheater to said full power and auxiliary stage inlets adapted to be controlled to permit further expansion of the steam through the turbine stages within predeterwers.

In testimony whereof I a x my signature, in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN F. METTEN.

' \Vitnesses:

ISAAC ARRO'I'I, THOMAS Hown. 

